If Cristian Romero leaves Tottenham Hotspur in the summer, he will be remembered as a hero for his Man of the Match performance in the Europa League final against Manchester United.
Considering Ange Postecoglou decided to opt for an uncharacteristically pragmatic approach against United, the Tottenham centre-back’s lionhearted display is one of the key reasons why Spurs’ block was impregnable on the night.
Romero seemed set to join Atletico Madrid after having reportedly held talks with Diego Simeone as well.
While Tottenham were ready to sell Romero, whose season has largely been impacted by injuries and unconvincing displays, perhaps their openness seemed justified.
But Cristian Romero reminded the world in the Europa League final that on his day, he can perform at elite levels and emerge as one of Spurs’ standout players.
Photo by Michael Regan - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Photo by Michael Regan – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Fabrizio Romano says Daniel Levy will make it ‘difficult’ for Cristian Romero to leave
Much like any chairman, Daniel Levy will be proud that he has a player of the World Cup winner’s ilk on his books.
Romero discussed his future at Tottenham after reigning supreme in Bilbao by not clarifying whether he has decided to stay or leave in the summer.
However, Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Daniel Levy will make it harder for Romero to leave Tottenham after winning the Europa League: “Now, with Tottenham beating Manchester United in the Europa League final means that they will be in the Champions League, so the feeling around the project and also that the chairman of Tottenham will make it even more difficult for some of the more important players to leave Tottenham this summer. One of them is for sure Cuti Romero.”
Fabio Paratici could return to Tottenham and Romano emphasised that he would be keen to reunite with the 27-year-old: “As mentioned, Cuti Romero was one of the players he [Paratici] wanted, had him at Juventus, first signing him from Genoa, then the player went to Atalanta, Tottenham signed the player from Atalanta, now he remains an absolutely crucial player for Tottenham.”
“Now, Romero is out of contract in two years and it’s going to be a situation to follow because at the moment, there are no conversations ongoing to extend his contract but for sure now, Daniel Levy will try his best to keep Cuti Romero despite strong interest especially from Spain.”
Ange Postecoglou wants Romero to stay at Tottenham
Even Real Madrid are interested in signing Romero from Tottenham and while the player might appreciate Daniel Levy’s willingness to keep him, playing at a truly elite club might appeal to him.
However, Ange Postecoglou’s point of view, he would be hoping that Levy makes the former Atalanta colossus’ potential exit as difficult as possible as he would like to keep him.
Postecoglou said via BeanymanSports: “Look, I think Romero is absolutely important to keep at this football club. You just saw the way he’s been and he hasn’t been fully fit, to be fair to him with his toe but you’ve seen he’s a winner and you saw that in all the big games we’ve had.”
“The lads certainly respect him very highly and he makes them taller, walk a bit taller, so, yeah from my perspective, it is a no-brainer.”
“If he goes, who do you replace him with? There’s not too many out there like him, so it’d be very important for the club to try and retain him and retain him for the longer term I think.”